Show must go on, says Rove after blaze

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Aftermath ... The scene at Rove enterprises in Abbotsford in Melbourne this morning after the building burned down last night.Photo: Wayne Taylor

Staff working for TV star Rove McManus' Melbourne production company have vowed the show must go on despite an overnight fire that caused up to $2 million damage.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade estimated the fire caused about $1 million damage to the building housing the Roving Enterprises production office at the corner of Nicholson and Mollison streets in Abbotsford.

As well, up to $1 million of equipment was lost inside the office, McManus' manager Kevin Whyte said.

"It will probably get into that zone," Mr Whyte said.

"It's very hard to say until we can get in there and have a look ... but it will cost a lot of money.

"We've lost editing suites, props and our wardrobe department. Nothing at all was spared on the entire first floor," Mr Whyte said.

"We've also lost some films and tapes.

Despite the fire, Mr Whyte said McManus' talkshow, Rove Live, would be unaffected, while sketch comedy program Skithouse and the Roving Enterprises staging of the Australian Record Industry Association awards would face minor disruption.

"We'll get through. TV people are very resourceful," Mr Whyte said.

"It's the day after and everyone is well.

"No-one was hurt and the group is full of comedy people, so we're okay."

McManus himself was at work and in good spirits today, Mr Whyte said.

"He's like all of us. He's getting on with it and getting back to work. We've got shows to do," he said.

The fate of Rove's Logies was unknown, Mr Whyte said.

"We have two offices. I'm sure they're fine," he said.

Fire Brigade spokeswoman Heather Stockton said fire investigators would spend today examining the office to determine the cause of the blaze, which broke out about 6pm (AEST) yesterday.

Asbestos had been found in the roof of the two-storey building, Ms Stockton said.

Fire crews were using thermal fire detection equipment to seek "hot spots" in the top floor of the building that might still be smouldering, she said, while surveyors would assess structural damage today.

Part of the front wall of the building collapsed onto the footpath during the fire, damaging parked cars.

The fire, which was not deemed suspicious, was contained to the first floor.